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Spotlight
A 2.5-hour drive or a 25-minute fight
from the city, Sir Bani Yas was quite
literally a desert island when Sheikh
Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan decided
it would be the test case for his
‘greening the desert’ program in 1971.
The island is now covered by more
than 2.5 million trees, with irrigation
pipes supplying fresh water generated
by the desalination plant. In addition
to the three hotels on the island, there
is a wildlife reserve that is home to
animals including cheetahs and
hyenas, many loud peacocks, a herd
of girafe, a variety of gazelle, Arabian
oryx and feet-footed ostrich. Some of
these animals are native to the region,
while others have been gifs to the
nation from various heads of state.
The animals essentially run wild over
the island, although the cheetahs are
kept clear of the accommodation.
Guided safaris are available, but if
animals aren’t your thing, there is also
mountain biking, sea kayaking and
archery available. There are even ruins
of an ancient Christian monastery,
dating from the 6th century — the
only early Christian site in the UAE —
to explore. Accommodation ranges
from opulent hotel rooms to luxury
safari-style villas with private plunge
pools and decks that ofer the perfect
vantage point from which to watch
the wildlife wander.
LUXE Laze by The Ritz-Carlton
Abu Dhabi’s (Khor Al Maqta’a; +971
2 818 8888; www.ritzcarlton.com/
AbuDhabi) enormous pool or private
beach for long enough and one of the
attentive staff will offer to clean your
sunglasses, if you’re not already
enjoying a complimentary massage.
OUT OF TOWN The silence of the
desert at Qasr al Sarab Desert
Resort by Anantara (+971 2 886
2088; www.qasralsarab.anantara.
com) is mesmerising, while dune-
bashing (with a trained driver, of
course) is just scream-out-loud fun.
BEACH SIDE Award-winning
modern luxury is on offer at
Jumeirah at Etihad Towers (above;
+971 2 811 5555; www.jumeirah.
com), which is just moments from
the Corniche that runs the length
of the city’s main beach. Don’t miss
the extensive breakfast spread — it’s
considered one of the best in town.
BOUTIQUE It’s worth making the
two-hour drive and short boat trip
to the Sir Bani Yas Island for a stay at
the Anantara Al Sahel Villa Resort
(left; www.al-sahel.anantara.com)
where sand gazelles and peacocks
graze on the doorstep of your private
villa and guided safaris reveal
cheetahs, giraffes and more. ►
WHERE TO STAY
virginaustralia
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